More from the author of Fireproof

Yesterday I posted an interview with Eric Wilson, author of Fireproof, which is on the NY Times bestseller list. You may remember an interview I did with him two years ago. I met Eric before he was published via the cool Amazon reviews he wrote about my suspense novels. It encouraged me so much to know a reader outside of my family and friends actually liked my stuff! So I'm thrilled to see how his career has taken off. Today Eric is back, but this time we're talking about his book Field of Blood.

What’s Field of Blood about?
It's a modern story of good and evil, a mix between Peretti's This Present Darkness and C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. It's edgy, atmospheric, and full of biblical history and Judaic legend. Two groups of undead are featured: 1) those who came out of the tombs when Jesus died and was resurrected (Matt. 27:50-53)...these are my good side, immortals left to protect believers; 2) the undead who were unnaturally animated by Judas' blood after it seeped into the burial caves beneath the Field of Blood outside Jerusalem's Old City walls...these are the evil side, those who seek blood for a counterfeit unholy existence. Ultimately, the story is about a Romanian Jewish girl caught between these two sides, about the human struggle between good and evil, and the Nazarene Blood that will prevail.

Which is your favorite character in this story and why?

Gina Lazarescu is the main character and the one I really care about as I write. She's been raised by an ultra-conservative mother who's forced her brand of religion and superstition on Gina, slowly turning Gina away from matters of faith. And yet, a small flame still burns in Gina's heart. Which is a good thing, because she's about to face Jerusalem's undead. She has no idea of her place in the bigger picture, and the purpose God has for her.

Give us another “inside” story--it makes us feel so superior. Hee hee.
Oh, man, I have some crazy stories about how the Lord guided me in the research of this book. Some of those I've included in the author's note of the book. (Sneak a peek while in your local store!) I'll give you some info I haven't included elsewhere, though. How about that? While I was in Romania in 2005, I was already gathering info for this series. I stayed in the Bucegi Mountains (the location of the book's climax) and did some hiking. Two friends and I decided to hike back down through the mountains instead of taking the cable car. We started at the Memorial Cross, a hundred foot monument to soldiers of World War One, then made our way down toward the village of Busteni. The hike took hours longer than expected, very steep, loose shale, dense trees, a stream...A beautiful journey, but we could hardly walk the next day because our calves were so tight. This is one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in Europe, with lynx, bear, boars, foxes, wolves, etc. The area was once inhabited by the Dacians, a word that means "wolf." And it's from here that many tales of werewolves originated. I'll actually have one werewolf-like creature in the sequel, Haunt of Jackals. (You first heard it here.)

Do you have an outline when you start or are you a seat-of the-pants author?
I have a very general outline, but each chapter surprises me and leads to unexpected places. That's half the fun for me as I write. I don't suggest it for everyone. It's not for the faint of heart. On the other hand, it's really a walk of faith for me as I approach my writing each day. I have to start typing and trusting that the story will unfold. When I let it go, it usually happens, though there are days that are nail biters.

How do you come up with your plots?
My plots center around two things usually: 1) a historical mystery or anomaly, and 2) a character's inner conflict. The mystery parts show up through my research and personal reading. The character parts come from my own struggles, or those I see in others around me. Throw those two together and you come up with a big idea that matters on a personal level. That's the way I do it. If I don't care about the characters, though, the plot loses my interest.

What's next for you?

I've just finished Haunt of Jackals, second in the Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy, and I'll be writing the third book, Valley of Bones, from November through March of next year. After that, I want to go back and finish off my earlier series, as well as starting a spinoff series from the Undead Trilogy. I have about seventeen ideas floating through my head right now. We'll see which one lands first, huh?

Thanks, Eric! You can find more from Eric at WilsonWriter.com or JerusalemsUndead.com.

Interview: The Author of "Fireproof"

Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you a brief interview with Eric Wilson, author of the NY Times best-selling book, Fireproof.

How would you describe yourself?
I'm an inquisitive, stubborn, outgoing, but often reclusive person who loves Jesus, loves books, and absolutely adores my wife. I've written eight published novels, and hope to write fifty more.

What’s the book about?
Fireproof is the story of a fire captain and his wife who are facing divorce after seven years of marriage. As their relationship is about to go up in smoke (bad pun, I know), the captain's father challenges him to love his wife for forty more days, applying each day a lesson learned from a handwritten journal. While still facing fires and danger, the captain realizes that being a hero to the world is sometimes easier than being a hero to your own wife.

Why'd you do it?

I'd already worked with the Kendricks on the novelizations of their two previous movies. It's been a great working relationship, with lots of fun and creativity. I admire the goals they have, wanting to encourage and inspire, while telling stories that point to Christ. That is in line with my goals as an author, although my personal style is usually aimed at those on the fringes of faith.

Tell us about the writing journey that has led you here.
I've wanted to be a writer since childhood. Along the way, I've traveled, youth pastored, been married eighteen years, and raised two teen daughters. I'd started doubting my "dream" would ever come true, but my wife's encouragement never flagged--even during some very rough financial times. Without her, I don't think I would've come this far.

Give us an “inside” story on the book—something we might enjoy knowing.

I had an arsonist subplot that we ended up taking out (because most other fireman story's already have one). Some of the books went to press, though, with a newspaper clipping at the end of chapter two that was related to that subplot. It shouldn't have been there, but I forgot to weed that one out. If you have one of those copies of the book, it might be worth something some day. lol

What do you consider the most difficult part of writing? What was the hardest thing on this project?

The most difficult thing is tuning out all the distractions, from the phone, to the latest TV show, to the friends having a BBQ, to the discouragement of a bad review or low sales... All those things have to be pushed aside to plant my butt in the chair and write. Some days it feels like pulling teeth. Some days it feels like I'm bleeding out my heart to get words on the page. The hardest thing on this project was the timeframe. I've written a half-million words in the last two years, and I was running dry. This book was written in six weeks. That was exhausting.

Got any advice for writers?

I've said it many times. Stop talking about writing, stop spending hours blogging and dreaming, and DO it. If you don't complete a novel, you'll never be published, no matter how talented you are. In my opinion, the best book to help hone your craft for publication is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Easy to read. Practical. Invaluable.

Name a couple of your favorite fiction writers and why.

Oh, I love so many books. I'm a big fan of James Lee Burke, because he mixes the grittiness of life with the poetic beauty of literature and nature. I like Dean Koontz's prose. Harlan Coben is a master of plotting and twists. I'm impressed by Khaled Hosseini's two books, both masterful novels. I could go on for hours about all the novelists I enjoy reading.

Come back tomorrow to find out more about the book that's foremost on Eric's mind these days (hint: it's not Fireproof).

Author Interview: Eric Wilson

Today I'm talking with suspense writer Eric Wilson. Barbara Warren, who has posted more than 200 Amazon reviews, summarizes the plot of his latest: "It was a good night for Johnny Ray Black. Lots of fans, lots of fun, and then someone knocked him in the head, tied him to a statue, and cut the letters AX on his left shoulder. The stunt sent Aramis Black on a crusade to find the creep who did this to his older brother. Then Aramis begins to get strange e-mails quoting scripture and the letters AX begin to show up carved in other places and on other people. Afraid to go to the police, Aramis is soon plunged into a dark spiral of evil. The unknown opponent seems to be taunting him and is always one step ahead."

Eric, tell us about yourself.
I'm a lover of Jesus, lover of family, and lover of books. Some of my childhood was spent overseas, and I learned to love the world and all its colors. I want honesty in my walk with God. I try to show this in my novels, portraying characters with genuine struggles and genuine desire to find the Answer: Jesus. To date, I've written five novels: Dark to Mortal Eyes ('04), Expiration Date ('05), The Best of Evil ('06), A Shred of Truth (just released), and the novelization of Facing the Giants (in stores Sept 4).

And your latest project?
The Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy. The first book will be out in the fall of '08, published by Thomas Nelson. I can't wait!

What’s it about?
A classic battle of good and evil told in a modern context but with biblical history and Judaic tradition at its core. Humans are caught in a spiritual struggle, very symbolic, yet very visceral and bordering on the genre of horror. The underlying theme is Jesus' call for us to "die to ourselves daily." It's an un-American idea. We live for ourselves. Through a heart-pounding novel, I hope to communicate ideas that will stick in readers' minds.

I read somewhere that you're not crazy about what's generally available on the Christian market. Is that true and if so, why?
Actually, I think there are some amazing writers and books in the Christian market. More and more, authors are exploring life and faith through eyes of honesty and integrity.

My frustration is that much of the Christian market has become myopic, focused on providing "comfort food" and "safe alternatives" while watching the bottom line economically.

I would love to see the rich world of fiction reaching outside the religious box. Of course I want to make a living as a writer. All of us, as Christians, should be allowing the Lord to move through us in our vocations--whether architects, novelists, singers, or janitors. That's not an issue to me. But I would rather work another job if that's what it takes to write books that will touch the lives of those outside the church with stories of God's truth, than make a lot of cash while only tickling believers' ears. That's just my own calling from the Lord. I can't speak for other writers and the tasks they've been given.

What suggestions do you have for writers who don't want to make spiritual truth sound preachy or trite?
Imagine your own non-believing friends and relatives reading your words. Be real in your own relationship with God. Don't hide from your frustrations, but take them to the Lord in honesty and come through the fire refined. It's a daily process. I think that process is reflected when you write of characters with similar struggles. Life is often messy. If we try to wrap it up in nice little bows, our stories sound trite and somewhat naive. I believe Jesus is big enough to handle all of our questions. He is the Answer, after all.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Planting my butt in the chair. It's easier to watch TV, write emails, make phone calls, vacuum--anything that takes the place of the creative process. I can't wait till I'm in the mood. I write, and then the mood comes. That's how it works for me. As a husband and father, working another part-time job, I can always find distractions. In the end, I have to sit and write. No excuses.

Anything else on your mind?
I want readers to know that God has a specific call on their lives. Whether it's writing, singing, cleaning toilets, whatever--you can be a blessing to those around you. Be faithful in the little things, keep starving your sin nature and feeding your spiritual nature, and allow Jesus to lead you places you never expected. This next generation is poised to make waves in God's kingdom, but it will only happen if you shake off the dust of the past, the doubts, and plunge forward with diligence. I'm still learning this as a forty-year-old. Hopefully, others will learn from my hard-headed mistakes.